Lars Petter Nordhaug animated the GP Plouay with a strong attack in the finale that almost saw the Norwegian take a solo win. He lamented the course that had been less tough than expected but was pleased with his condition.

Lars Petter Nordhaug lit up the GP Ouest-Plouay this afternoon in France with an attack that almost stuck and prevented an eventual win by Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling). The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM's Norwegian finished 78e in the small sprint behind Chavanel's group and Jetse Bol was in 23rd.

"I was feeling strong all day," Nordhaug said. "The climbs were hard, but the course was not as hard as I thought it would be. It looked like it was going to be a group sprint to the line and I just thought about being in good position to try something, but then I saw the attack of Michal Kwiatkowski and I knew I had to follow him."

Nordhaug was part of an attack near 35 kilometres remaining in the 229.1-kilometre race in northwest France. After an early move of five was reeled in, he followed an attack by Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step). His eight-man group quickly built a gap.

"I was saving myself with the guys, then I went with the last climb," Nordhaug added. "I was really strong and happy. I felt as though I was the strongest guy."
 

The group's gap hovered around 30 seconds over the final 30 kilometres. At 19km out, they had 31 seconds and at eight kilometres, they had 28. Angelo Tulik (Europcar) attacked the group, Nordhaug and the others responded while the group with BMC Racing at the head chased behind. Nordhaug counter-attacked Tulik, but there was not much to do because with 3.7 kilometres to race his day was done.

"Another group went free with Chavanel on the flat part in the downhill. Had I waited, maybe it could have been different, but I'm happy. When I was caught there wasn't much else I could do. I felt that I did my best today.”

Sports Director Frans Maassen explained that Lars Boom did not feel well and that Belkin's other option today, Bram Tankink fell sick yesterday and had to stop after 50 kilometres.